Chapter 30

Okay, review comments first cause you guys are just the best and KEEP getting ahead of me!!  But here's a challenge, I'm attempting on making my own plushie, but I can't seem to find any clothing patterns online.  Anyone have any suggestions?  Of course it's going to be a Kei plushie *grin*

Very special thanks to Emenia for her wonderful gift of editing.  You all might never have to live through my horrible grammar again!

pruningshears :  LOL, quit beating me to my ideas *laugh*  I couldn't very well have them attack at Sesshomaru's, too many plots for my brain to handle at once!!  Don't worry, of course, they'll pop up soon and make everyone's life a little more interesting.

Del_kaidin(): LOL Mistero is going to be earning a lot in the next few chapters, don't you worry!!  And what was that Gone about?

Tiranth: LOL, we'll see won't we?  What kind of suspense could I spin, if I told you everything right now? *wink

I just saw Inuyasha 124 and I cried.  I really cried!!  OMG, this is the pull out the box of tissue's kind of episode!!  Or the get really really mad at the writer's kind of episode, it really depends!!  All I have to say, is Kikyou fans beware!

Dia:  I'm glad you're enjoying this hun, and thank you a million times over for being my beta!!

pasta head(): Welcome to the group!! *grin* I just LOVE the nickname!  Being Italian ^_^  Now don't let my story distract you from your studies, then I'll feel guilty, but it's always nice to have something to use to get away from the thoughts of school and homework!  I'm glad you like Well, and I hope you'll keep reading.

Kei:  I'd be finding Francesca a lot sooner if SOMEONE would just let me go, but no, she wants to add substance and plot. Screw that!

Lilac: Kei, just remember.  The pen is mighter than the sword, now just behave, don't worry.  It'll be worth it! *hugs her arms around him*

Kei: *grumble grumble*

kay():  Arigato! I'm glad you're enjoying this!!

Fire Kitsune Goddess: I'm so sorry FKG!!  I didn't mean it to hurt you, but nerve wrecking means that you'll keep reading, which makes me happy!!

Inu Girl(): Awww…flattery can't get me to write any faster, but I do appreciate it *grin*

Anime Ambreen and Poke' Manic : Thanks!!!

~~*~~ Keitaro

We set up camp after nightfall, much to my disapproval.  I didn't want to stop, I wanted to keep going and it took both Maeko and Naoko to force me to consider resting for the night.  They were already very saddle sore from the hard ride, and our horses were exhausted.  So I sat near the fire, a firm look of anger plastered on my face.

Maeko looked up from the rabbit that we had caught for dinner and sighed, shaking her head, "Nii-san, if you keep looking like that, your face will freeze like that."

"Feh," I snorted and looked away, my arms crossing over my chest.  She sighed again, and stood up from her end of the fire and walked over to my side, kneeling beside me.

"Hey," she whispered and touched my chin with her hand.  I grumbled and pulled away, but she took a firmer grip and turned my face to hers.  Her large brown eyes were dark with worry, and she looked more like my mother in that moment, then I had ever seen her.  It occurred to me, at that moment, that she was the same age my mother was, the year I was born.  I hadn't realized it but she had grown up in the blink of an eye.

"She'll be alright, I'm sure of it.  She's a survivor, and I know that the heavens wouldn't have brought you guys together to take you apart so suddenly."  She reached up and gently scratched the base of my ears, in a soothing way.  It reminded me of what Mother used to do, when I was still a very young pup, to quiet me whenever I was upset.

I growled, and tried to ignore the calming affects it was having on me, and crossed my arms tighter.  "I'm fine," I grumbled.  She stopped and looked at me, and the concern melted away to something stronger, tougher.  I blinked as my father came out in her features, as she once again grabbed my chin hard.

"Alright Kei, we have a long way to go, and a lot to deal with.  We're ALL worried about her, not in the same way as her mate is, but she has become a part of all our lives, so quit with this tough guy, screw the rest of the world cause you don't know anything attitude.  And quit pouting, you're acting like a pup!"

I blinked in surprise, and then grinned.  I couldn't resist, it was so rare that this dominate, hard attitude came from her.  I lifted my hand and messed with her upper lip before she could move.

"Ooh, my baby sister has grown fangs," I teased and she slapped the back of my head.

"Baka," she hissed under her breath and returned to the fire.  From behind me, I could hear a soft laughter as Naoko returned, his arms full of firewood.  Maeko looked up at him with the firelight reflecting in her eyes.

"What is so funny?!"

He stopped laughing and looked a little pale for a moment before giving her his classic gentle smile.

"It is refreshing to see the two of you behaving as siblings, rather than adults, especially you Maeko."  She blushed deeply, and turned her attentions back to dinner.  He knelt beside where Kaemon had taken a post and fallen asleep, and carefully piled the wood away from where the fire could catch it.

I sat there, looking into that fire, thinking of my missing mate.  How could I truly think of anything else?  I missed her, so much so that it was killing me inside to know that she was out there, somewhere, and I couldn't be the one protecting her, helping her.  I missed her scent;  that rich smell of water and spices, a combination of her gentleness and her fiery spirit.  The feel of her against me, the sound of her heartbeat in my ear as I slept this morning, was all a more painful reminder of how I failed as her mate.  I failed to protect her.

"Keitaro," I heard and saw Naoko kneel beside me.

I grumbled, "Not you too!"

He laughed softly, "You are my cousin, and like an older brother to me, how can I not be concerned to see you in such a state?"

I looked away, "What is it with you people?  I'm fine!"  I felt a sharp rap on the back of my head, and felt the pain of impact radiate down to my teeth.  I glared up at Naoko, who was still holding the telltale piece of wood.

"What!?"

"Lying is a horrible thing, Keitaro.  You should know better than to try to lie to your family, we know you better than anyone.  Now, quit pouting, for it does no good to neither you nor Francesca-sama.  As I understand it, mates have a connection between them, no matter the distance, can you sense it?"

I glared at him, as the pain in my head faded away.  He waited patiently as I sighed.  He wouldn't leave me alone till I did what he told, so I closed my eyes, pursing my lips into a tight line, and thought.  I felt the odd sensation of sinking into myself, rather like one would sink into a pool of water.  I balked, and opened my eyes.

"What?" he said concerned, and I frowned.

"Nothing, baka!  This is stupid!"

He looked down at me, and I cringed.  I knew that look, it was the look I had seen my uncle give my father sometimes, even when I was close to adulthood, whenever my father said something rather immature or stupid.  It was the look that a man carries that gives him the appearance of many years beyond his time.

"You are the one being stupid, now you won't get any sleep and I'm sure that the rest of us won't either, if you don't at least check on her, for your own sanity."  I growled at him, but he seemed completely unphased.

"Fine," I said and closed my eyes again, letting my mind drift back into that pool.  Once I felt submerged, I began to notice that something caught my attention; it was like a hand reached out and took mine, and was pulling me deeper into the water.

Rose, I thought and followed the sensation, through the depths of this pool.  With a jerk, it felt like I had surfaced again, but with a strange distant feeling inside.  I opened my eyes.  I wasn't at the campfire.  The room was dark, and so empty it was frightening.

Who is there? came a voice in my ears, and I turned.  Wrapped in a worn kimono, was Rose.  And she looked like death warmed over.  I took a step forward, but she stepped back.

Who are you? She whispered again, this time less frightened and more curious.

Rose, don't you remember me? I asked, and saw her head cock to the side.

Rose?  The old woman called me Bara, and now you call me Rose, she whispered and I felt a shiver of cold brush against me, Who are you?

I'm your mate, I replied and saw her hand touch her neck.  There was an empty recognition to my words in her eyes, as her hand dropped back to her side.  She had bandages over her hands, and I could sense sharp pains in her sides and along her legs.  She must have taken a hard beating during her fall.

You really don't remember, I whispered and she bowed her head.

I remember half things, I remembered Mistero's name, but I don't understand what it means.  I remember your eyes, but I don't remember your name.  She stepped forward and hesitantly pressed her forehead to my shoulder.  It felt like a whisper of wind on my skin, and I stood perfectly still, afraid that the slightest movement would break the spell.

You're warm, I remember that too, she whispered against my chest.

I'm coming to find you Rose, stay with Mistero, he will keep you safe.  Keep traveling north, find the mountains of jasmine and snow.  That's where we have to go, do you remember?

Her eyes looked dark, as she shook her head.  No, I don't.  But when you say those words, I feel pain in my stomach.  Did something happen to m-  Her eyes grew wide and she looked over her shoulder.

I have to leave, something's very wrong!  She pulled away and faded into the darkness.

Rose!  I called after her.  I felt a cold hand reach for me, and I jumped back, running away, and back to the warmth of the fire behind me.  With a gasp, I opened my eyes, only to find my mouth and nose full of dust and dirt.  I coughed and sat up.  The fire was half dead, and just beyond the tree line I saw the pale pink glow of the coming morning.  I had been out all night.  Kaemon was no where to be seen, and as I glanced past the fire, I saw my sister and Naoko still asleep.  I carefully rose, brushing all the dust and dirt from my clothes, and went to look for some water to rinse out my mouth.

I could smell the stream nearby, and as I walked silently amidst the fallen branches and leaves, I was aware that I wasn't alone.  I crouched on the bank and quickly scooped some of the cool water in my hand, splashing it onto my face.  I opened my eyes to watch the diamond drops fall from my bangs, as I looked across the stream.  Kaemon sat there, staring towards the horizon, his face creased with weariness.  I was sure he hadn't slept much this night.

"Did you find her?" he asked and I bowed my head, scooping more water up to my mouth.  I spit it to the side, grateful that the gritty feeling of dirt was washed from my mouth before I spoke.

"Yeah, I found her," I said, and dunked my head into the stream completely, feeling the water soak my head.  I lifted my face, and wiped my eyes and mouth with the back of my hand, ignoring the dripping feeling that flowed down the sides of my head and down the back of my neck as I sat up completely.

"And?" he said, turning to look at me expectantly.  I growled and he frowned.

"I'm man enough to admit when I have lost, but that doesn't make her any less important to me Kei.  I'm just as worried as you are, as we all are.  So, what did you find?"

I growled again, my instincts still saw him as a threat to my mate, but I pushed back the youkai and ran one of my clawed hands through my hair.

"Mistero found her, and she's safe, that's all I know," I looked away.  I wasn't going to tell them the rest, that she didn't even remember me.  In some ways, that hurt more than her absence.

"How far?"

"I don't know!" I snarled, my hands digging down into the dirt, as I jerked my gaze to his.  "Damnit, what's with all the damned questions from all of you?  If I knew anything I would have said so by now!"

He looked away, facing the sun, but didn't say anything else.  He knelt and I saw that a small pile of fish lay in the grass beside him.  Without another word, I heard his footsteps fade away, as I stared down into the water.  The snarl was still frozen on my face, the angry ferocious look still in my eyes.

"Damnit," I yelled and slapped my reflection, because I couldn't really take my anger out on my true target, and walked back to camp.

~~*~~ Francesca

I rubbed my eyes, and looked up into the darkness of the room.  I could still hear the soft sounds of the others sleeping, but Mistero was gone.  I carefully sat up, and then tentatively rose to my feet.  Surprisingly, my legs held me, in fact I felt a million times better than I had before I slept.

That dream, I thought, remembering the face that had appeared there.  A handsome young man, with those golden eyes that seemed to look right through me.  I could still feel the beat of his heart, where my head touched his shoulder, and I took a deep breath, the lingering smell of his clothing touching my senses.

He said stay with Mistero, but where is he? I thought silently as I carefully, step by step, walked out of the small one room shack into the damp cool morning air.  Mistero stood there, a large cat again, facing out into the distance, and growling loudly.

"Mistero?" I called and stepped forward, seeing the hairs on his back bristle wildly.  I stumbled over a dent in the ground, loosing my footing for a moment, but quickly regained it, and stopped at his side.  I brushed the top of the hairs lightly with my hand, feeling the power crackle on my skin.

"What is it?" I whispered and he only growled louder, facing north.  I turned my face in the same direction and closed my eyes.  Something inside me relaxed, and for a moment it felt like I had lost my clothing.  The air felt brisk and refreshing around me, and the wind blew over me strongly. 

My skin prickled and I jumped, opening my eyes quickly.  What was that?  What was I doing?

Mistero growled again, and I buried my face against his neck, "Something's very wrong, isn't it?"  He turned to look at me, his eyes blood red, as he shook against me.  I looked over his head, back to the north.  My stomach felt cold, like I was sick, but I knew it wasn't me.  What was this feeling?

"Bara-sama," I heard behind me, and saw the young woman standing there, looking concerned.  "You shouldn't be outside in this air, you're still weak."

I shook my head, "I'm fine, but something's wrong.  Mistero can sense it.  What's in that direction?"

She looked past the field, "The village," she said softly before looking at me.  "Are you a miko?" she whispered, and I shook my head.

"No, I don't think I am, but I know that something isn't right, and I have to see what it is."  I swallowed nervously, and I saw the family emerging from the house.

"Stay here, please.  Don't follow me, and whatever you hear, don't be afraid," I whispered so that only she could hear me. 

Her eyes grew wide, "What is it?"

The pain in my stomach doubled and I flinched, feeling a cold sweat rise to my forehead, "I don't know, I don't remember, but I know that I have to stop it."

Mistero yowled loudly and I grabbed a hold of the scruff of fur on his neck, pulling myself up onto his back.  Her husband ran forward, carrying something long and slender in his hand, and she grabbed it from him.

"Take this," she whispered, and I felt the smooth sturdiness of a long wooden staff slip into my hand.  I nodded my acceptance as Mistero took to the sky.  I held tight to his fur with my freehand, as he swiftly glided over the trees.  Below, appearing just past the tree line, I saw the small clustering of buildings.  Nothing appeared different, or strange, until we grew closer, and I saw the bodies, faces frozen in horror, staring up at me from the dirt.  I cried out and buried my face against Mistero.  I felt the thud as he touched the ground, and I carefully looked up.  All around me, all I could smell was cold, dirt and death.  Yes, even death had a peculiar smell to it, a vacant pungent smell that was faint but there.  I shuddered and carefully swung my leg off of Mistero and stood there.

((AN: Personal note, this is a very true statement, and I apologize for seeming macabre here, but I should throw this in.  Death really has a strange smell to it.  Not that I recommend it, but if you have ever been around something that has died recently (and not been there long enough to decay), it has a cold smell to it, and slightly metallic if there's blood, but mostly it is vacant too.  I know that seems weird, but it's true.  I was present once when a lamb was killed, I'll never forget that smell as long as I live.))

"What happened here?" I whispered, looking around, walking between the fallen, careful not to step too close to the bodies, looking for some sign of anything.  The village seemed almost too peaceful, too calm.  There was no sign of fighting, or even an invasion.

A cold wind blew past me, sending a rain of goose bumps along my skin, and I spun with it, expecting to see something race by.  I felt like I was being watched by invisible eyes, cold eyes that were waiting for something, anything.

Deep inside I felt a low rumbling, it reminded me of hunger pains, but this felt deeper, colder.  I froze.

Close your eyes, whispered a voice inside me.  Trust me, it said as if it heard my next question, just close your eyes and let yourself feel.

I closed my eyes hesitantly, my hands instinctively spreading flat, parallel to the ground.  My hands throbbed a moment, and a particular feeling spread up my arms, and along my shoulders.  As it dripped down over my heart, I knew what it was, fear and rage.  It made my skin crawl, and I took a deep breath.  It seemed the air was full of it, and the pain that was laced within choked at my lungs, making it hard for me to breath.  I knelt, one hand pressed to my chest.

This is my gift, the words echoed inside, and I felt the familiarity of my own voice.  I saw a room of faces, faces looking up at me, Sometimes, there are people that are gifted to do things that most cannot. Like Lady Kagome's ability as a miko, this is a very rare thing in our land. Very few can move objects without the aid of their hands to move them, some can even read minds. And some can feel the emotions of others. That is my gift. I don't see it as a form of magic, but it something I have had since birth.

Kagome, I thought.  Another name, and another blurred face in my mind.  I shook my head, feeling the sweat drip along my temples as I looked up.  My vision doubled a moment, as the pain in my stomach grew stronger, and just ahead of me, I saw a shimmer, a distortion in the distance.

They feed from fear, that voice whispered, do not fear them.  They fear you.  They fear you because you have the power to fight back.

I gasped, as more pain struck my chest.  I looked up through the fall of my hair.

How can I fight them? I can't see them, and I hurt so much, I thought bitterly.

Relax your mind, let your mind free, don't focus with your eyes, but with your feelings, and you can see them.

I heard Mistero above me, and tried to fill my lungs again.  Free my mind, easy for you to say.  I pressed my head to the ground, trying to block out the ice that was forming in my blood.  I could feel these things getting closer, and felt my heart beat faster.  I closed my eyes, envisioning those eyes again, the eyes that seemed to give me strength and courage.  I slowly rose to my feet, my head still bowed, my hair falling in front of my face.

"Come and get me," I whispered, and opened my eyes.  Colors danced before my eyes, and between the colors were black voids.  I gripped the wooden staff in my hand fiercely as my body throbbed.  I didn't know exactly what this was, but it wasn't what they were expecting.  The shapes shifted in form, moved away, and so I stepped forward. 

I saw the shapes move further back, all but one.  One stood its ground.  I would have called it a creature, but it had no solid form, it was simply a void in this strange world of colors.  It paused a moment and rushed at me, and I let it.  I felt something grip me around the neck, the closest thing to a hand that these beings may have possessed, and tighten.  Mistero yowled but I raised my hand, and he backed down.  I stared down into that void, and smiled.  Confidence flooded me, and I grabbed onto the 'arm'.  The creature struggled beneath my grip, but I never let go.

"You messed with the wrong woman," I hissed with the little breath I had left and felt myself sink into my body.  My hand seemed to slip through this strange creature, dipping into the emptiness inside.  I felt my senses flow down my arms, and off my fingertips, and I heard in the deep dark corners of my mind, that terrific scream.  The creature, who felt once like a bottomless void, was now a living creature in my hands.  I reached down into the heart of it, and found the fear and terror that it had stolen from the people of the village.

This is not yours to keep, I thought and pulled it back, pulled it deep inside of me.  The creature screamed horribly, and I felt my blood turn to ice, but still I pulled and pulled, absorbing all that fear, feeling my veins run black with it.  The creature let off one more scream, shook violently and vanished.  I fell to the ground, gasping for air hoarsely, and staring at the other two shapes before me.  They seemed to freeze, and without another moments hesitation, vanished into the distance. 

Mistero growled menacingly as I used him to pull myself to my feet, standing weakly.  My body felt full of liquid fire, and as terrifying as it was, it also felt envigorating, and exciting.

Get rid of it, you cannot keep all those bad emotions inside you, or you'll become one of them, the voice screamed inside.  I turned away from Mistero, bowing over and with one hand on my stomach, emptied the contents into the dry earth.  The sun peeked over the rooftop of one of the houses as my body heaved and I cleansed myself of the horror I had consumed.  I opened my eyes weakly to see the pool of black liquid at my feet, which helped my stomach turn over once again.

Mistero hissed softly and moved to my side, his body tense and I glanced up blearily to see more shapes emerging from the surrounding buildings, some from the forest.  A small child's face peered at me from the doorway of a small shack and I grabbed a hold of Mistero's fur.

"They're not the enemy," I gasped as my body heaved dryly again.  The voices of the villagers began to fill my ears and I knelt in the dirt beside my companion.  My body was drained, and my spirit wailed in my ears.  I didn't want this, I couldn't deal with this again.

You can, and you will, because it is who you are Francesca, you are an Empath, and you must fight these creatures.  You are the only one who can.

I closed my eyes, Who are you?

I am someone you need to speak to, and soon.  There isn't much time left, you must hurry to my home.  Your companions know where I am.  Rejoin them, and come find me.

Wait, you called me Francesca?  Is that my real name?

It is one of your many names.  Francesca of your land, Rose: the true mate to the hanyou Keitaro, and Bara the savior of this village.  Soon, you will have more names, but that is enough for now.  Rest, heal your wounds and leave this place before the sun sets.

I bowed my head as I felt everyone crowd around me, hands touching my hair, my clothes.  Mistero felt anxious beside me and I lifted my head.

"Bara-chan," I heard cried out and saw the young woman pushing her way through the crowd.  I sighed with relief as she closed her arms around me.

"I told you not to follow me," I whispered weakly to her and she smiled, "I know, I was always a disobedient woman.  Come now, let us help you, as you have helped us."

Mistero growled softly and shimmered a moment before transforming into the smaller version that he held and I let myself be picked up, and carried away from the sight of the hardest fight of my life.